On Sunday, December 10, 2006, at approximately 1:14am, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Cleveland Avenue in reference to a missing Christmas decoration.  Upon arrival, the officer met with the complainant who stated that she was sitting in the living room and noticed the inflatable eight foot tall SpongeBob Christmas decoration was missing from her front yard.  An investigation was conducted and the officer followed up on several leads with negative results.  On Monday, December 11, 2006, an officer, while on patrol, observed the missing SpongeBob decoration behind the St. Joseph's school sign located on Cleveland Avenue.  The owner was contacted and the decoration was returned to her.  A report was made for file and no further action was requested.

On Monday, December 11, 2006, at 11:53am, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Lincoln Street in reference to theft of money from her bank account. The complainant advised that the money was removed by a company that was promoting a new platinum credit card.  An investigation was conducted and the money was returned to the complainant’s account by her bank.  A report was made for file.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at approximately 9:38am, an officer was dispatched to a residence on West Street in reference to a dog complainant. Upon arrival, the officer met with the complainant who advised that his neighbor lets her dogs come into his yard and defecate and this has been an ongoing problem.  An investigation was conducted and it was learned that the dog owner was issued a verbal warning in the past.  The officer spoke to the dog owner and advised her of the complaint.  A written warning was issued for Dogs at Large and Nuisance Conditions Prohibited. A report was made for file.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 7:52pm, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Walnut Drive in reference to a criminal damaging complaint.  Upon arrival, the officer met with the homeowner who stated her front steps had been spray painted black and a spray can was found in the yard. A report was made for file and turned over to the Detective Bureau for a follow up investigation.  There are no suspects at this time.

On Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at approximately 4:10pm, an officer, while working a special detail at the Amherst Public Library, observed several juveniles sitting on the exterior front stairs of the building and smoking cigarettes.  The cigarettes and lighters were confiscated and the juveniles were issued citations for Underage Possession of Tobacco.

On Thursday, December 14, 2006, at approximately 2:08am, an officer observed a vehicle weaving within its lane of travel on North Main Street near the Five Points intersection.  Due to this and other violations observed, a traffic stop was effected.  An investigation was conducted and the driver, Gregory Markus, age 48 of Lorain, had an odor of intoxicating beverage coming from his person and slurred speech.  Markus was arrested and charged with Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated, BAC over .170, Weaving, Marked Lanes, and Safety Belt. 

On Thursday, December 14, 2006, at approximately 6:21pm, an officer was dispatched to the Amherst Police Department in reference to a harassment complaint.  Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the complainant who advised she was being harassed by her daughter.  She stated her daughter has sent her letters and left messages on her answering machine that are upsetting and affecting her health.  The officer made contact with the daughter and advised her of the complaint and to refrain from any form of contact or criminal charges could be filed.  A report was made for file.

On Friday, December 15, 2006, at approximately 12:50am, an officer was dispatched to Giant Eagle, Kresge Drive, in reference to a theft of bicycle complaint.  Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the complainant who stated he went into the store for approximately 5 minutes and when he came out, his bike was gone.  While investigating the complaint, the officer was approached by a shopper who stated he observed a red, late 90's model Chevy Cavalier with dark tinted windows, pull up to the front doors and a white male in his late 20’s or early 30’s with blonde hair place the bike in the trunk.  The bike was described as a chrome Huffy Next Custom 3 speed with thick white wall tires.  A report was made for file and an investigation is pending.

On Friday, December 15, 2006, at approximately 1:51am, an officer, while on patrol on Park Avenue, observed a vehicle make a wide turn into the oncoming traffic lane and then almost strike the curb.  Due to the violations, a traffic stop was effected.  An investigation was conducted and the driver, Gregory Hardwick, age 35 of Amherst, had a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from his person or vehicle, glassy eyes, and slurred speech.  Hardwick was arrested and charged with Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated, State Refusal, Weaving, Marked Lanes, and Expired Operating License.

On Friday, December 15, 2006, at approximately 2:53am, an officer, while on patrol, observed clothing items lying in the yard and in the street in front of a residence on North Main Street.  The officer made contact with the male resident and an investigation followed.  It was learned that the male became upset with his fiancé, who was not at the home, and threw the items into the yard.  The officer also spoke with the fiancé, who stated the argument was only verbal and no threats or physical violence occurred.  A report was made for file.

On Friday, December 15, 2006, at 7:40pm, officers were dispatched to Giant Eagle, Kresge Drive, in reference to a theft complaint.  Upon arrival, an investigation was conducted and it was learned that store security had detained a male shoplifter, later identified as Richard Cherney, age 44 of Elyria, for taking store merchandise then trying to leave the store after not paying for the items.  Cherney was arrested and charged with Petty Theft.

On Friday, December 15, 2006, at approximately 9:38pm, an officer was dispatched to the Amherst Police Department in reference to a theft complaint.  The officer met with the complainant who informed him that someone stole the rear license plate off of his vehicle.  An investigation is pending.

On Saturday, December 16, 2006, at approximately 1:59am, an officer, while on patrol, observed a vehicle behind him that flashed the high beam headlights on and off approximately four times and then drove the vehicle down the street with the parking lights on.  Not sure if the driver needed assistance, the officer effected a traffic stop and an investigation was conducted.  In talking to the driver, Kellie Simmons, age 44 of Lorain, the officer detected an odor of intoxicating beverage on or about her person.  Simmons was arrested and charged with Operating Vehicle, BAC over .170, and Lighted Lights

On Saturday, December 16, 2006, at approximately 10:25pm, an officer, while working the Christmas dance at Marion L. Steele High, Washington St., was approached by the school principal who stated he had witnessed two male students physically fighting.  An investigation was conducted and both juveniles were issued citations for Disorderly Conduct and cited into the Amherst Police Department's Diversion program.  They were also suspended by school administration.